Revolution, is in my opinion about evoluition, to re-evolve. It is the internal thought of a person that expresses itself externally. What you think you are, you will be. If you think you are ghetto, you will express this in an external fashion, whether it be a clothing style, tatoos, the way you speak, the way you act. This is the external expression of an internal thought process, on a micro-cosmic level. This same internal thought process expressed by the many becomes a culture, when many dress a certain way, speak a certain way and act a certain way, all based on an internal thought process. So, what outside entity came to a certain group of Black people and produced the thought in them that they are ghetto and this is how ghetto acts? How can one or a group overcome an ailment by pointing at the external factor? Does this exclude the fact that external factors influence the thought process? No. Yet, we are responsible for how we internalize an outside influence. One factor in the external influence on the Black Collective are our own so called “leaders” and “professors” that influence a certain percentage of Black people’s internal thought processes. When a “leader” or “professor” continues to express a slave mentality (I will elaborate in a post what a slave mentality is), then those that believe the “leaders” and “professors” are greater than themselves fall prey to an external influence that deters positive uplifing internal thoughts in the “weaker” collective. Example, on a different level. In order to avoid the flu or a cold one MUST strengthen their OWN immune system, an internal function. When a cold or flu virus attacks a person and overcomes them, then it is the failure of the person to strengthen the INTERNAL IMMUNE SYSTEM. When the immune system is strong an outside influence is of little to no effect. The same is true with the Black collective. The Black Collective must CLEAN OUT and strengthen INTERNALLY to repel negative outside attacks. The more we focus on the outside factor, the white man, the European cultural influence on the Black collective, and racism the “weaker” the collective becomes. And, the Black collective will be defeated by those very same external forces. Therefore, the focus MUST be on cleaning OUR internal thought process, cleaning out the down pressing “leaders” and “professors”, cleaning out our vocabulary, cleaing up the way we dress, act, and feed ourselves, and clean up our dirty ways to eachother. Then and only then can we defeat racism, European cultural influence, the white man and bad Black “leaders” “and Professors”.

When we are able to really understand this post – at depth – racism won’t have to be “defeated” because racism will already be dead. In our mind, body and spirit. It only lives because we breathe the breath of life into, perform CPR on it, transfuse it with our spiritual life’s blood.

Take responsibility. Control your destiny. Abdicate responsibility. Be a perpetual victim.

Hastings Urges Increased Support for Combating Racism and Discrimination against Blacks and Other Minorities in Europe(Washington, D.C.)

Today, Congressman Alcee L. Hastings (D-FL), Chairman of the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe (U.S. Helsinki Commission), introduced a resolution (http://blog.blackwomenineurope.com/…H.RES.1496)</a> calling on the United States government to increase support for public and private sector initiatives focused on combating racism and discrimination against blacks and other minorities in Europe.

“Black Europeans are a population of more than 7 million. Increasingly, they have become the targets of violent hate crimes, many resulting in death,” said Chairman Hastings. “It is imperative that the U.S. government increase its support for European efforts to combat racism and discrimination.”

The introduction of the resolution coincides with the launch of the (http://bewnet.eu/) Black European Women’s Council (BEWC) and their effort to fight for equality. In an effort to raise public awareness at the national and international level, BEWC brought together over 130 Black women from across Europe to “insist on the recognition and inclusion of Black Europeans economically, politically, and culturally.”

The resolution also urges European governments to implement recently introduced anti-discrimination legislation and action plans, including a fund for victims incapacitated as a result of a hate crime.

“Like African-Americans, Black Europeans continue to be hampered by inequalities in education, housing, employment, and the criminal justice system, (e.g., racial profiling). Few Blacks are in leadership positions and political participation is limited for many, providing additional obstacles for addressing these problems. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this resolution recognizing Black Europeans, their numerous contributions to society, and the struggles they face daily,” said Chairman Hastings.

On April 29, Chairman Hastings held a hearing entitled, “The State of (In)visible Black Europe: Race, Rights, and Politics,” (ctrl+click for link) focusing on the challenges and opportunities experienced by Europe’s Black population amidst reported increases in racism and discrimination, anti-immigration and national identity debates, and growing security concerns. Additionally, the hearing examined the impact of anti-discrimination measures as well as diversity initiatives aimed at ensuring and protecting equal rights for a population many do not know exists. Additional information on the hearing can be found at http://www.csce.gov/.

###

The Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, also known as the Helsinki Commission, is a U.S. Government agency that monitors progress in the implementation of the provisions of the 1975 Helsinki Accords. The Commission consists of nine members from the United States Senate, nine from the House of Representatives, and one member each from the Departments of State, Defense and Commerce.

I know it’s considered an overstated cliché but I have to say this: “Life Is Precious!” We should therefore do all we can to cherish and preserve it.

From a personal point of view, my wife and I often comment on how our life is blessed. We have our health, shelter we can afford and we never have to wonder where our next meal is coming from. God has also blessed us with a wonderful son. We have come to realize that he is indeed a gift from God and we have an enormous responsibility to nurture, safeguard and direct his life, from the moment he was conceived to the time when he will no longer be under our care and depart to make his own way in the world.

From a professional standpoint, everyday I am time and again faced with the reality of how precious life really is. As a police officer I am not called upon to meet with people to have “tea and biscuits” , so we can celebrate the wonderful things that are happening in their lives. I am usually called upon when things aren’t going well. Sometimes things are bad… very bad. The worst moments are when you have to notify someone that one of their family members have died… that they have “lost” their life. Interesting term: “lost their life”. The reactions of the family when they are told that their love one “lost” their life, like in an automobile accident or died of natural causes, is very different to when they are told that the life was “taken” due to a violent crime or event. The emotions are different. The pain is more intense.

My father and a partner I had died within a few months of each other in 2006. My father “lost” his life to a stroke due to old age. My partner’s life was “taken” by a a drug dealer. I have thought about my father since his death. There is a feeling of sadness but no tears. Last week, I was in bed and for some unexplained reason I started thinking about my partner and his family… his widow, his two children, his father and mother… and tears started to flow. The tears flowed because I still hurt that his life was “taken” in such a violent way and how it devastated his family. The tears flowed because I am glad I am alive.

Yeah… life is precious.

I have never had to “take” someone’s life in the line of duty… although I’ve been in situations where the possibility that either I or some else could have been killed was very real. Regardless of the rhetoric I have heard and read that the police are just itching, waiting for any excuse or justification to kill “Black” men… that we even sit around and plan our executions, from my experience I know this is not true. However, everyone’s beliefs and opinions are based on what they know (or think they know)… based on their personal experiences and observations… so it’s valid… and I’ve learnt not to take it personally. I do know… from my experience and observation… that the last thing any of the police officers I have ever worked with… local, national and international law enforcement officers… the last thing we ever want to do is “take” someone’s life. I also believe this is true of a vast majority of police officers… regardless of the colour of their skin.

Now I am certainly not saying that there aren’t police officers out there who wouldn’t act or react quicker to “take” the life of a “Black” man than someone from another race. Especially when a “pack” mentality sets in. Especially when a society and it’s State, whom the police represents, sends a clear signal that it is willing to quickly “take” the life of a “Black” man who may be innocent of “taking” the life of another human being… a “white” police officer. This is the case with Troy Anthony Davis.

Mr. Davis was convicted and sentenced to death for “taking” the life of Mark Allen MacPhail, a police officer in Savanna, Georgia (who was off-duty at the time but working as a security guard), in 1989. He has been on death row for over 17 years. He was to be put to death yesterday, Tuesday 24th September, but less than two hours before his execution the U.S. Supreme Court issued a stay so it could meet Monday to decide whether to hear his appeal. There are many troubling aspects to his case which seriously brings his guilt into doubt. Seven of the nine prosecution witnesses who testified against Mr. Davis have since recanted their testimony, some stating that they were coerced by the police to give false evidence. One of the two other witnesses who haven’t recanted their testimony, had been identified by three of the other witnesses as the actual killer and he was also found to have ditched a gun of the same caliber as the murder weapon. The second witness who hasn’t recanted, initially told the police he couldn’t identify the killer, yet two years later at the trial he testified that it was Troy Davis. There is no DNA, other physical evidence or murder weapon linking Mr. Davis to this murder. Yet the State Supreme Court of Georgia upheld his conviction and sentence.

Now I don’t know all the evidence that was presented at Troy Davis’s trial or at his appeal. I don’t know if the original testimony of the witnesses were truthful and now they are recanting due to the “no snitching” code. I don’t know all the circumstances surrounding the murder of the officer, but there is evidence that Troy Davis was there when it happened. However, regardless of the reasons or circumstances, we are talking about someone’s life… about “taking” that life away! As a police officer who has lost a partner to murder, I understand and empathize with what the family of the murdered police officer is going through. But as a human being, I also understand and empathize with what the family of Troy Davis are going through… and will go through if his life is “taken”. In my experience, the families of murder victims ultimately want justice to be served. Initially when emotions and the pain is running high, they may want revenge… or revenge mixed with justice… but over time justice and the closure it brings is what they finally seek.

This however is not justice. The U.S. Supreme Court must grant Troy Anthony Davis a new trial and have all the evidence, including the original testimonies and recantations presented. If there is then “reasonable doubt” that he was the actual killer, then he should be acquitted. If there is evidence that he was an accomplice or obstructed the investigation, then convict him of that and sentence him accordingly. “Taking” his life in this way is not just revenge, or a miscarriage of justice, or the actions of a racist society and justice system… it’s even worse than all that combined. It’s final!

I know it’s considered an overstated cliché but I have to end with this: “Life Is Precious!” We should therefore do all we can to cherish and preserve it.

Christine Alvarez is part of a duo bringing books by Black writers to the Black and wider communities in the Netherlands and Europe. The BLAAC (http://www.blaac.com/) online and brick and mortar bookshops provide an important service.

While their votes don’t count towards electing the US President, the votes of Black American Expatriates do. Are you prepared to cast your vote?

Whether you are a student studying abroad, active duty military, a long time expat, or just traveling abroad during the election you can register to vote and/or request your absentee ballot online using the Vote From Abroad website:

Lately I have been doing a lot more reading of both books and blogs, than blogging myself. It’s like I’m going through an intellectual and spiritual growth spurt and I’ve been enjoying the time, reading and reflecting on what I’m taking in. At the same time, I have taken a self-imposed moratorium on watching or reading anything that is primarily about the U.S. presidential race… if I can help it! Even here in Canada, although we are going through a federal election ourselves, we get inundated with overwhelming election fodder from south of our border (see here). The coverage has gone from being ridiculous to lunacy… and it’s all become very “Jerry Springer-esque”!

(To my brothers and sisters south of the border, I’ll let you in on a little secret… whether Obama or McCain get’s elected: 1) you still won’t have universal health care; 2) you will still have troops in the Middle East protecting American interests, if not in Iraq, then somewhere else; 3) you will still have a public educational system that will continue to be substandard in relation to other industrialized nations… and even some developing nations; 4) you will still be addicted to oil; 5) the rich will still get richer and the poor will matter even less; 6) you will still be battling political, economic, social and cultural discrimination… and it is gonna get worse for you before it get’s any better! As I heard Ice-T once state: “If voting could change anything they would outlaw it.” But I digress… this rant is not the purpose of this post… lol!)

During the first year the WAD website has featured dozens of contributors and the network has grown to enjoy hundreds of members around the world. Anniversary celebration plans include a new look and domain name for the website, and new featured sections to highlight more talented women of the African Diaspora.

Additionally we would like to offer our readers and users "gifts of thanks" for their support and participation. We also want to encourage buying within our community by asking for Black Female Entrepreneurs to provide WAD Anniversary Sponsorships of product and service gifts and discounts.

Appropriate examples include discount coupons to your products and services, as well as free subscriptions to your magazine or associations and free products or services. Any and all gift sponsors will receive recognition and thanks on the WAD website and social networking that includes your logo and link to your website.

To participate as a sponsor please submit your logo, link and prize, along with directions on redemption, to Sandra Rafaela:sandrarafaela(at)aesn.eu.

Thank you for helping to celebrate the Women of the African Diaspora website and social network!

In order to vote absentee ballot in the November election you must request your ballot from your State before it’s deadline.

The Proud Black Voter Blog has a great post including all of the State deadlines. Click on their badge above directly to the post. Read that post today and take action. Use votefromabroad.org to request your ballot online.

Be sure to let your fellow Expats know time is running out for them to do the same.

Want to do more? Find a way to get people in the US to the polls. Be a community organizer.